1. When did you start playing Dungeons and Dragons? What Version?
Early 2000's, at age 14, I played DnD 3.5 for the first time.
2. What was your first character?
A Half-Elf Druid with a wolf companion was my first character ever.
3. Favorite DnD Moment?
Although I would not recommend doing this too often so as to avoid player frustration, I did find particular enjoyment when I placed a moral quandry in front of my players, hoping them to find a mutual decision, only to have all but one of them turn on each other due to conflicted interests. Unexpected roleplay relevant pvp is exciting, so long as the players don't take it personally.
4. Do you play any other RPGs?
I've dabbled in many different RPGs, such as Runequest, Call of Cthulhu, Star Wars RPG, and others, but I always come back to DnD 3.5
5. Do you prefer being a DM/GM or a PC?
It depends on my mood, honestly. There are some days where I don't want to touch DMing and would love just to play, and there are some days that I don't want to play. I'd rather DM if I absolutely had to pick one, but I'm on the fence.
6. Do you currently run a campaign? If so how often and what's it about?
I do, it is a small campaign involving the players being a part of a guild that provides anonymous adventure/sellsword services to any of a multitude of political houses that are feuding for power, and have to deal with gangs, the local guard, a paladin order, and agents of the houses they serve as they attempt to make a name for themselves.
7. What does a good DM/GM have to do to be considered a good DM?
A good DM needs to be able to tell a good story and set a good scene, but more than anything needs to both have the ability to plan ahead and ad lib. The players will always find a way to think of something the DM hadn't considered, so on top of having a game plan on what needs to happen to progress the story, they need to have the freedom to roll with unexpected actions on the player's part.
8. Do you have any advice or encouragement for our followers who may have not ever tried a pencil and paper game, and might want to give it a go?
If your first attempt at a pencil and paper game is an attempt at DMing, be prepared for feedback from the players. It takes a few sessions for a DM to settle into their particular style, and your very first session as a DM will probably have some bugs you will need to work on. But if you do work out those bugs, it can be a very rewarding experience for both players and DM alike.
9. Do you have any parting thoughts on the subject you would like to share?
Get out there and give it a shot! You never know, you might have talent for it you didn't even know you had.
Thanks Brandon for your insight into you experience as a DM and with your RPG experience. As usual, if there are questions you'd like to ask a DM, please leave a comment and who knows it might get added to the next IWADM!
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